Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter-23:A Glimpse of Home

As they descended the stairs together, Inaara adjusted the simple yet graceful jumpsuit she'd chosen, its understated elegance catching a soft smile from her mother.

"Aree, tum dono kahin jaa rahe ho kya?" Mousumi asked, her gaze shifting between her daughter and Atharv.

"Yes, we're going to Ramesh uncle's stall," Inaara replied casually, while Ishu, who was sitting on the couch, couldn't resist adding her two cents with a teasing grin.

"Wow, street food date, haan? Not bad, di," Ishu giggled, her tone deliberately exaggerated.

Inaara rolled her eyes, dismissing her, "No, not a date, Ishu."

But Ishu wasn't ready to back down. She quickly interjected, "Toh phir main bhi chalun?"

"Koi zarurat nahi hai. Padh le jaa kar. Paper hai tera parso. Fail ho jayegi warna," Inaara retorted, her tone both stern and playful.

Ishu groaned, making a face. She knew Inaara was right but couldn't help feeling disappointed. "Thik hai, thik hai. Lekin mere liye kuch le kar aana."

Before Inaara could respond, her aunt, Gayatri chachi, appeared from behind, gently smacking Ishu's head.

"Koi zarurat nahi hai bahar ka khana mangwaane ki. Subha pet pakad ke baithe thi."

Ishu winced, rubbing her head and mumbling under her breath. But she stayed quiet this time, pouting as she watched Inaara and Atharv head toward the door.

Once outside, they climbed into Atharv's car. The driver glanced back, waiting for the address.

Atharv looked at Inaara, expecting her to give the directions, but noticed she seemed lost in thought.

He gently shook her shoulder. "Inaara?"

Startled, she blinked and looked at him, snapping out of her daze. "Haan... haan, sorry."

She quickly provided the address. "Ramesh uncle's panipuri stall... near the beach."

Atharv gave her a lingering look, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the car pulled away from the house, carrying them towards a rare and unspoken adventure, where he felt something stirring-something that grew a bit stronger with every glance at her.

The car pulled up near a small, lively stall by the roadside, where a line of locals eagerly awaited their turn.

Atharv glanced out, his eyes narrowing as he took in the modest setup.

Before he could instruct one of the bodyguards to go, Inaara lightly touched his arm, a gentle refusal in her gaze.

"I'll go myself," she said, smiling faintly, and stepped out of the car.

Through the tinted glass, Atharv watched her walk to the vendor, a single bodyguard trailing behind her.

The vendor's face lit up at the sight of her, his movements animated as they exchanged a friendly chat.

Inaara's soft laughter reached Atharv even inside the car, and he found himself leaning forward slightly, listening without meaning to.